Iowa Golf Association

Jack Fleck, from Davenport, began his golf career by playing in high school, caddying, and then becoming an assistant pro up until World War II. Upon his return, Mr. Fleck tried to qualify for PGA Tour events and playing locally, but decided that he would try his luck full time on the tour. The choice paid off only six months into his PGA Tour career. Jack’s first victory on the Tour was at its biggest event, the 1955 U.S. Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Not only did he win the U.S. Open title, he defeated Ben Hogan by three strokes in an 18-hole playoff to do it. It is considered one of the greatest upsets in golf history. Jack came close to a second Open title in 1960 but never contended in a major again. His short stint on the tour included two other victories, the Phoenix Open Invitational and the Bakersfield Open, as well as an 11^th place finish at the Masters. Fleck also won the PGA Seniors’ Championship just before the Senior PGA Tour was formed.

Career Highlights

1955 U.S. Open Champion (defeated Ben Hogan by 3 in an 18-hole playoff)

1960 Phoenix Open Invitational Champion

1961 Bakersfield Open Champion

1979 PGA Seniors’ Champion

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